Former Super Eagles defender Sam Sodje has dismissed the noise trailing Frank Onyeka’s deadline day transfer from Brentford to Coventry City, insisting that the move is a good one for the player, Footynaija.com reports.
Onyeka joined Coventry on a six-month loan after finding opportunity hard to come by at The City Ground and is now set to spend the rest of the season in England’s second division.
The 28-year-old midfielder’s drop from the Premier League to the EFL Championship drew mixed reactions with ex-Super Eagles forward Victor Ikpeba categorically stating that the move made no sense.
Related Post
For Sodje however, Onyeka’s decision to join a team in the lower division in order to get more time on the pitch is a welcome development that speaks volumes about the midfielder’s character.
“I believe this is a good move for him. It also shows the type of player he is — someone who wants to play regularly and contribute on the pitch rather than sit on the bench,” Sodje exclusively told Footy-Africa.
“Because things didn’t work out for him at Brentford doesn’t mean he is a bad player. When you play for a club like Brentford, you have to understand that they constantly bring in players, and competition for places is always high.
“They also have quality players in the squad, and sometimes selection decisions come down to the manager’s opinion rather than a player’s ability.”
Sodje, who himself played for Brentford during his active years, also opined that in terms of history and stature, Coventry remains a bigger club than Brentford despite the Bees’ status as a top flight team.
“When you compare both clubs in terms of size and history, Coventry is actually a bigger club. Yes, Brentford is currently a Premier League club and a very good one, but in terms of overall size and historical stature, Coventry is bigger.”
Beyond the argument of size and stature, the most important thing for Onyeka will be getting regular minutes at Coventry City. The Sky Blues are chasing promotion to the Premier League and Onyeka will be relishing the opportunity to play a major role in getting them over the line.
